Law and Order Minister Tilak Marapana says an investigation into the attacking incident on HNDA students is underway with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe appointing a committee to look into the incident.

He said the government is ready to meet the student leaders and discuss their problems.

Marapana also went into say the committee appointed by the National Police Commission will probe the matter in a bid to investigate whether the police have acted beyond their statutory authority.

He also added Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe has appointed a committee headed by Dr. B. M. S. Batagoda to investigate into the attack as well. According to Marapana, a circular issued in 1990 has made the Higher National Diplomas in Accountancy (HNDA) equal in all respects to a university degree; however the former government has revoked that decision.

“The Ministry of Education has already requested the Ministry of Public Administration and Management to restore it to the previous level,” he added.

Opposition parties in Parliament today strongly protested against police brutality against demonstrating students in Colombo last week. Several opposition MPs held placards in protest and demanded that the police officials responsible for high handed suppression of the peaceful protest be held accountable.